Although the disposal of non-heat generating low and medium level nuclear waste is properly managed in nearly all affected countries the disposal of (high level) radioactive waste is glob-ally still unsolved. The discussion on this subject, however, is partly led emotionally rather than based on scientific facts. Depending on a large variety of data, media often intentionally mix definitions, terms and concepts in a way that both political and public recognition and embar-rassment might be exploited and - in parts - be misused. This paper aims to display the state-of-the-art disposal strategies and techniques both in Germany and on an international level based on the state of science and technology in order to objectify the ongoing discussion.